Tumor Lysis Syndrome pathophysiology: release of which substances leads to metabolic disturbances?

Tumor Lysis Syndrome pathophysiology: release of which substances leads to metabolic disturbances?

• A. Calcium and magnesium
• B. Potassium, phosphate, and uric acid
• C. Antibodies
• D. Platelets

Answer: (B)

When tumor cells break open, they spill their internal contents into the blood. The key substances released are potassium, phosphate, and nucleic acids that are then metabolized to uric acid. This surge causes the characteristic metabolic disturbances: high potassium (hyperkalemia), high phosphate (hyperphosphatemia), and high uric acid (hyperuricemia). The excess phosphate also binds calcium, leading to low serum calcium (hypocalcemia) and can contribute to kidney strain from uric acid and calcium phosphate precipitation. Other options don’t reflect the main intracellular contents released during rapid cell lysis, and calcium isn’t released in large amounts—its levels drop due to precipitation with phosphate.

When tumor cells break open, they spill their internal contents into the blood. The key substances released are potassium, phosphate, and nucleic acids that are then metabolized to uric acid. This surge causes the characteristic metabolic disturbances: high potassium (hyperkalemia), high phosphate (hyperphosphatemia), and high uric acid (hyperuricemia). The excess phosphate also binds calcium, leading to low serum calcium (hypocalcemia) and can contribute to kidney strain from uric acid and calcium phosphate precipitation. Other options don’t reflect the main intracellular contents released during rapid cell lysis, and calcium isn’t released in large amounts—its levels drop due to precipitation with phosphate.